Posts Tagged ‘Olympics’

Overzealous hockey parents are always a tad gauche in my opinion (Note to others: Don’t become one). Irate parents who think their little Johnny’s or little Suzie’s are going on to play in the NHL or represent their country at the Olympics have been around forever. Losing their minds at coaches, referees, other players and at other fans these parents are often seen doing many irrational things.

I can recall seeing a few fans during my playing days who are probably pretty happy that their antics weren’t captured with the latest wave in technology (good thing the old Camcorder wasn’t rolling in the Port Dover arena, right Mom?”) I’m pretty certain the gentleman on the following clip feels wishes his craziness happened in another era. “Way To Go Paul!” is going to live on in infamy. Solid pro move Paul!

Genius work here by the fine folks at Molsons (I am somewhat obligated to call them” fine folks” as they signed my pay cheques in the summer of 2000) who have produced a beer fridge that opens only when a Canadian passport is scanned. These beautiful beer fridges have been set up at Canada Olympic House in Sochi offering free Molson products to Canada’s Olympians and their friends.

Canadian mogul skiers Justine and Chloe Dufour-Lapointe won Gold and Silver medals on Saturday night. A pretty impressive feat to say the least for a family members to take the top 2 places on an Olympic podium

Tough news on the Team Canada front today. News has filtered down that Steven Stamkos is out for the upcoming Olympics in Sochi.

So maybe, just maybe there’s a chance that I’m headed to Sochi after all. It might be prudent for me to clear my schedule next week in case the call comes from Hockey Canada’s brass about being the injury replacement for the injured Steven Stamkos. (Although truth be told I’ve been held off the score sheet the past few outings in the local Sunday morning league. Stats don’t lie friends)

Today is obviously very disappointing for me,” Stamkos said. “I honestly believe that we did everything possible in order to have my injured leg ready in time for the Olympics, but I realize you can’t force healing. I know, in the best interest of my long term health, I cannot represent Canada in Sochi, as much as I would like to. I would like to thank the training staff for their dedication and hard work and I look forward to returning to the Lightning once cleared by the medical team.”

Who doesn’t love an underdog story? From time to time I feel compelled to tell the 8 loyal readers of mine (granted 6 of you are by accident) about something other than the normal drivel I provide you with. I’d like to draw your attention to the upcoming Sochi Winter Games and a cause that I hope comes to fruition.

The Jamaican Bobsled team has qualified for SOCHI ’14. Remember the cult classic movie Cool Runnings? Cool Runnings hit cinemas in 1993 in a film about the first Jamaican Bobsled team trying to make it to the Winter Olympics. It starred John Candy (yes Uncle Buck himself) – among others. The story was based on an actual team that competed in the Calgary Winter Olympics in 1988. Unfortunately the slick track and speedy turns aren’t the only obstacles this team needs to overcome to make their dreams come true.

This edition of the Jamaican bobsled team is going to need some financial help to get to Sochi. According to reports they are short 80 000 dollars. Thankfully some benevolent folks in the cyberworld are taking up their cause by using multiple crowd funding sites and they have already raised 13 000 dollars.

Steve Yzerman and the rest of Hockey Canada’s brain trust announced it’s roster for the 2014 Sochi games today. The naming of this team has been on the minds of many Canadians for months. The pre-naming shows, the over analysis, the projections and the mock “MY TEAM CANADA has..” lists that many created have been front and center in the minds of most Canadian hockey fans across the nation.

Today Steve Yzerman stood at the podium to announce the 25 players selected to represent Canada. I watched anxiously along with my class on live stream from TSN.ca each and every pick. The class cheered for the GTA selections of P.K Subban, John Tavares. Steve Stamkos and Rick Nash (several text messages from the DUKE would drown out the cheering for this selection). Finally the last pick was called and to my surprise………………I was left off the list. Overlooked again.

To my knowledge you don’t have to be currently be playing in the NHL to be considered for the squad. So I thought there was chance that Yzerman might dial me up early this morning and tell me to pack my bags for Sochi. In my mind this wasn’t out of the realm of possiblity as I’ve been sniping it up in my local Sunday morning shinny league this season. My skill set would be something that most teams wouldn’t have. I’m doubtful that the Scandinavian countries would have a stout grinder of my size on their squad that could compliment and ride shot gun on Sidney Crosby’s line. unfortunately Yzerman stayed the course and didn’t think out of the box and it would appear that I won’t be heading to Sochi. The First Lady, the Association and the Merger will be crushed. Perhaps I’ll call Martin St. Louis , Joe Thornton and Claude Giroux (some other notable snubs) so we can get together to watch the games in disgust together.

Sidney Crosby is the star of a new commercial for Tim Hortons. (Thanks to the Duke from Port Dover for the heads up) With the Sochi Olympics a mere month away it’s never too early for a little nationalism.

Go Canada Go!

That is until the announcement of Team Canada’s hockey team on Tuesday, when every pick will be scrutinized and many folks will be upset about someone’s exclusion or inclusion of the Canadians picked to represent our fine nation.